the sting of death

for some reason i have been thinking about death recently.
i was thinking about how those around me would feel when i die.
would they know i love them as much as i do? would they
remember me and all the good memories we share? or would
they have regrets? would they be OK?

a new friend of mine, and co-worker from the summer,
has lost several of his friends to death in the last few years.
i haven't had a friend die. i have seen many relatives die in
the past many years, but not anyone close to my age. death
is hard, no matter what the age. but, i think it impacts
someone differently if they're close to your age, &
especially if they're close to you emotionally/relationally.

someone died last night. truthfully, m a n y people died last
night. but it was someone i know. well, sort of know. he was
my mom's second cousin. he was young, only 21 or 22. i have
talked to him before. and saw him at Christmas-time. for the
last time. we never naturally think of it in those terms... "this
might be the last time i see him or her." i really feel impacted
by his death. perhaps it's his young age. or the fact that i have
been thinking about death lately... but the truth is, it hurts!

my heart hurts for jk's family... & for his short life, for all the
things he'll miss. and especially for all those who will miss
him. death can come suddenly and it impacts others in,
sometimes, very profound ways. knowing a life has ended,
suddenly, causes my heart to ache inside me...

Lord, be close to the family of jk. wrap Your arms of love
around them. help them as they cry & grieve, for years to come,
the loss of their son, brother, nephew, friend, cousin, grandson...

grant Your peace, o Lord.


this is the sting of death.